suburi

Suburi (素振り) is a solo training drill in Japanese sword arts, meaning “bare swinging” or “simple swinging.” It involves repetitive, unopposed swings of a sword to develop form, efficiency, and conditioning, rather than combat with an opponent. The drill emphasizes correct mechanics, from grip and posture to hip rotation and breath control, enabling smooth, economical movement.

Practitioners typically use a bokken (wooden sword), iaito (blunt practice sword), or sometimes a shinai in dojo settings. Suburi drills focus on basic cuts and transitions, performed in a controlled, deliberate manner. Common elements include maintaining a relaxed top hand and a firm but not excessive bottom hand, aligning the shoulders and hips with the energy of the cut, and keeping the spine upright with even weight distribution between the feet. Repetition trains timing, rhythm, and the sequencing of body parts from the hips through the torso to the arms and wrists.

In different arts, suburi serves slightly different purposes. In kendo and kenjutsu, it is often used as a warm-up and conditioning drill that supports proper cutting mechanics without contact. In iaido, suburi can accompany drawing and cutting motions, reinforcing the flow from drawing the blade to delivering a cut, though specific patterns vary by school. Regardless of style, suburi is considered a foundational practice for developing technique, accuracy, and stamina in solo sword training.